Stinging in the Knee: Causes, Treatment & Help

Stinging in the knee is a common pain signal. They are a warning signal that something is wrong in the knee. There are different types and causes of knee pain.

What is twinge in the knee?

Some pain in the knee is stabbing and feels like knife wounds, while other discomforts are described more like a pulling or pressure sting. The knee joint connects the two longest bones in the human body – the femur and the tibia. Two crescent-shaped cartilage discs – the menisci – are located inside and outside the joint. In front of them is the bony kneecap (patella). Ligaments and muscles stabilize the knee joint. There, on the inside and outside, are the lateral ligaments. On the middle of the knee, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments cross. The type of pain in the knee gives important clues to the cause. Injuries, diseases or even incorrect loads can trigger knee pain. It is important to determine the type, severity and frequency of the pain as precisely as possible. Is it present all the time or does it come on as a dull stabbing pain at rest? Some knee pain is a constant companion, while others arise only after certain stressful situations. Some knee pains are stabbing and feel like knife wounds, while other complaints are described more like a pulling or pressure sting.

Causes

Knee pain can have a wide variety of causes. The most common causes are an accident or osteoarthritis of the knee. Anterior knee pain can originate from the kneecap (patella) if it is slightly displaced or deformed. Furthermore, uneven muscle training can trigger this knee pain. If the knee hurts on the inside, it is often caused by a misalignment of the feet. If the pain is load-dependent, one suspects a wear and tear symptom. If the knee pain is very acute, the cause may be an injury. If the knee pain comes from the outside, it may be meniscus damage or an outer ligament injury. Knee pain when climbing stairs is probably caused by osteoarthritis. If, on the other hand, the knee hurts more when going down stairs, the anterior cruciate ligament is probably torn. If the knee is also swollen, it is most likely an inflammation. It may also be a bacterial infection. Pain deep in the knee joint may have bone necrosis as a cause.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Knee joint osteoarthritis
  • Runner’s knee
  • Meniscus injuries
  • Patellar luxation
  • Lateral ligament tear at the knee
  • Meniscus tear
  • Posterior cruciate ligament tear
  • Patellar tendon rupture
  • Cruciate ligament rupture
  • Aseptic bone necrosis
  • Anterior cruciate ligament rupture
  • Sports injuries

Diagnosis and course

The diagnosis of knee pain includes a detailed patient interview. Furthermore, a thorough physical examination and, if necessary, apparative examination procedures. As part of a diagnosis of knee pain, an orthopedist will first examine the external leg axis. The patient’s movement habits will be questioned, as well as whether there have been any recent changes in stress or an accident. The origin of the pain is important, where exactly the pain is located in the knee and the type of pain intensity. Furthermore, the mobility of the knee is examined. It is checked whether there are any movement blockages that point to the cause of the pain. After various movement tests have been carried out and the pressure sensitivity of the knee has also been tested, the doctor decides on the basis of the results which further examination procedures should be carried out. These include blood testing, X-ray examination, imaging procedures (MRI or CT), joint puncture (examination of the synovial fluid), ultrasound, special bone examinations or arthroscopy.

Complications

Complications of a twinge in the knee can occur with or without treatment. To establish the likelihood of possible complications, the doctor must first make a diagnosis. In orthopedic surgery, the leg axis is first examined to determine what is the best and most appropriate form of treatment. In order to make a complication-free treatment possible, it is important that the doctor knows about the patient’s movement history.If the patient is very sensitive to pressure, there is a high probability that more complications will occur, both with and without treatment. Therefore, it is important that the doctor starts the treatment as soon as possible. In everyday life, the complications make themselves visible through movement blockages. Swelling of the knee is also not uncommon. This is only the beginning of the complications. Depending on the history of movement of the affected patient, the swelling can also increase. To prevent this from happening, the doctor uses ointments. In order to prevent possible complications during the treatment, an allergy test against the various creams and ointments must be performed first. In this way, it is possible to find out whether a proper treatment can take place or not.

When should one go to a doctor?

A twinge in the knee does not always necessarily need to be treated by a doctor. However, failure to treat it can result in serious secondary damage. In most cases, overuse is responsible for a twinge in the knee. The knee joint may be damaged in such a case, so a doctor should definitely be consulted. If the pain remains unchanged even after two to three days, a visit to the doctor should not be delayed. Of course, further stress on the knee joint should also be urgently avoided, otherwise the injury can become significantly worse. Of course, the joint does not always have to be directly affected. In some cases, a muscle injury or overstretching may also occur. Affected individuals should also seek medical attention after two to three days in such a case. It is not uncommon for muscles to recover or regenerate completely on their own. However, if there is an actual injury, such as a muscle tear, then a visit to the doctor is unavoidable. Only through early treatment with appropriate medication, can a full recovery occur. In the first two days, however, affected persons can also take their own measures. Heat promotes the regeneration of the muscles. The famous horse ointment, which is freely available in stores, can also contribute to a quick recovery.

Treatment and therapy

The trigger for the knee pain also determines the type of treatment. Initially, simply elevating and resting the knee can help, as can cooling it if swelling is present. Tears must be treated by an experienced medical professional to rule out long-term damage. In case of bacterial infection or viral infection in the knee, the patient needs urgent rest, appropriate medication and an antibiotic. If the kneecap is painful, there is initially no therapy, since the pain usually disappears soon on its own, especially in young, athletically active people, and is causally due to overuse. However, if the osteoarthritis has reached an early stage, painkillers and physiotherapeutic exercises can help. Surgically, the bone can be smoothed or drilled into using arthroscopy to stimulate the formation of new cartilage. Arthroscopy also thoroughly removes stuck fatty bodies. Injuries such as fractures of the kneecap are treated surgically. In the case of severe injuries that no longer allow the knee joint to function properly, an artificial knee joint can be inserted. Likewise, advanced knee osteoarthritis often requires surgery and an artificial joint to preserve mobility. Initially, however, knee pain can be treated conservatively (depending on the diagnosis), such as acupuncture, injection procedures, pain medication, weight loss, water therapy, orthopedic shoes, an ultrasound or electrotherapy.

Outlook and prognosis

In some cases, the twinge in the knee can be attributed to an accident or to sports or occupational overuse. Ligaments and capsules can be overstressed by improper movement, which accelerates joint wear. If the complaints occur out of the blue and do not subside on their own, a doctor must be consulted. A medical analysis is carried out to determine the underlying disease. A CT scan clarifies whether it is a chronic problem or an injury. If the knee discomfort is ignored, the pain may worsen. Severe episodes of inflammation, swelling of the joint, and muscle spasms may follow. The entire musculoskeletal system is affected by the protective posture usually adopted.Joint malpositions up to deformation, circulatory disorders of the leg as well as damage to the nervous system are the consequences. In some cases, only surgery can provide relief. Depending on the timely diagnosis, the physician initiates specific measures. Manual therapy and medication can restore the function of the knee joint. In this way, nerve and osteoarthritis-related bone damage can be counteracted. If the knee can only be stabilized by surgery, subsequent rehabilitation helps to regenerate the joint. With physical therapy and regular home exercises, the prognosis for a symptom-free knee joint is good.

Prevention

To prevent knee pain, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and, if necessary, to reduce existing excess weight. Furthermore, one should exercise sufficiently and eat a healthy diet. Active and healthy living effectively prevents knee pain. It also makes sense to plan sporting activities with intelligence and to avoid overloading the knees in advance – sometimes less is more. Bicycle tours strengthen the muscle groups around the knee. Swimming and light muscle training helps prevent knee pain.

Here’s what you can do yourself

If there is existing discomfort in the knee, the first thing to do is to reduce the load. First and foremost, this is aimed at avoiding an incorrect load and reducing the impact load. The choice of footwear should be reviewed. It is possible that the use of orthopedic shoes will already relieve the strain. Sports such as squash, jogging or soccer should be avoided. Swimming, on the other hand, is gentle on the knee joints. Public swimming pools and some physiotherapies offer special aqua fitness programs. The buoyancy of the water means that the joints do not have to bear the entire weight of the body. The gentle and steady movement is also recommended for existing complaints, as it forms new synovial fluid and strengthens the muscles. In the case of acute complaints, however, the knees should be immobilized to prevent further aggravation. Fast help is provided by the use of painkillers, available as ointment, gel or dragée. In the acute stage, cooling applications and compression bandages also help. Reducing existing excess weight could also be helpful. According to a study on knee osteoarthritis, the symptoms of the test subjects decreased by 50% with a weight reduction of five kilograms. In the case of recurring stabbing pain in the knee, the entire leg musculature should be strengthened through targeted training programs. It is important to warm up the muscles well and to start the exercise session slowly. If the complaints are acute, this should be clarified with the attending physician beforehand.